Information Minister: FG Eyeing Food Sufficiency Through Public-Private Partnership

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the federal government is working closely with state governments and the private sector to scale up investments in agriculture and achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

Idris spoke this during an inspection visit to a state-of-the-art Tilapia Fish Farm operated by Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited in New Bussa, as well as the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone in Amfani, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.

The minister, accompanied by Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the creation of the Federal Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy and Livestock Development by President Bola Tinubu as initiatives that would strengthen the regulatory framework for private sector participation and reduce the importation of fish and dairy products into the country.

Idris stated, “Since the assumption of office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has taken deliberate steps, including the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which oversees over 800 kilometres of coastline and inland waterways suitable for aquaculture.

“Coupled with the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, it is evident that the president recognises food security as key to national sovereignty.”

He commended the efforts of Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited and Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, stating that their success demonstrates the immense potential of collaboration among the federal government, sub-national entities, and the private sector in advancing Nigeria’s food production goals.

The minister echoed Tinubu’s recent commitment in Brazil to dismantle bureaucratic bottlenecks hampering the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

He praised Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited for choosing to invest in the hatching and rearing of Tilapia – one of Nigeria’s most consumed fish varieties – which was currently being imported in large quantities.

Idris said the venture will help reduce fish importation, create direct and indirect jobs, and offer sustainable solutions to youth unemployment.

“We have been informed that current production stands at 1,000 metric tonnes, with plans to double this to 2,000 metric tonnes by the end of the year, and to scale up to 5,000 metric tonnes within four years,” he said.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Industry, lauded the promoters of the two projects, describing them as aligned with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Enoh emphasised that expanding local production and processing will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports and help conserve foreign exchange.

She he stated that Bank of Industry (BoI) was established to support such industrial efforts, hence the presence of the Bank’s representative on the visit.

In his remarks, Managing Director of the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, Dr. Abdulmalik Ndagi, explained that the zone that had already gulped N30 billion was designed to provide industrial, residential, and commercial infrastructure to attract and retain investors in Nigeria.

Ndagi listed the infrastructure under development to include two power substations, recreational facilities around the lake, a golf course, polo field, racetrack, airport, train station, university, and world-class hospitals.